Reflections of Sagada

Clouds hovering the mountains of Sagada were starting to fadeaway to welcome the sunrise. As the car was descending along the zigzagging edge of the mountains, I was sitting at the back, looking out into the window.

It was my birthday and I have barely spoken. There was a feeling of overwhelming sadness slowly creeping into my soul at the thought of leaving Sagada. The spelunking yesterday was a blast; it was priceless. It was an experience that I would always cherish in my memory. (Read: The Sagada Cave Connection)

Sumaguing Big Cave

It was yesterday, yes only yesterday. How time flies! I easily fall in love with places such as Sagada and I could not help being attached. Perhaps, it was because I grew up in the country where I relish waking up in the morning to the sound of chirping birds, to the sights of dancing branches and green foliage, to the whispers of the moving air, to the chats of elderly over a morning cup of black coffee. Perhaps, it was because I never like the city, the way it conducts itself.

‎It is heartwarming to discover that while many people live in haste, cacophony, materialism, and hypocrisy more than 145 kilometers down the civilization and beyond, there are those who live in simplicity, cultural exclusivity, and fascinating austerity more than 1,500 meters up in the mountains. The locals of Sagada have a genuine display of just being who they really are – never pleasing anyone!

The lofty mountains and their fresh wilderness, the hanging coffins, the picturesque treasure rocks, the panoramic terraces, the thousand year old caves, the delicious native delicacies, the 47 year old weaving tradition, the creatively designed handicrafts – they all speak highly of how people value and love their culture and heritage.

Sagada is where old and new ways blend together harmoniously, where change and modernization have been accepted, but not permitted to the point of causing damage that their past generations would not be grateful for.

I felt that Sagada is one of the reasons why I have been unsuccessful in my several attempts to land on a job abroad. Maybe, I meant to stay in my country, in my beautiful Philippines, where I would discover and rediscover its wonders and beauty beyond compare.

Indeed, everything happens for a reason. And sometimes these reasons do not always come to you when you need them. They might just cross your realization one day and surprise you when you least expect them.

We need somedays to make sense of everything.

After you clear your eyesYou’ll see the lightSomewhere in the darknessAfter the rain has goneYou’ll feel the sun comeAnd though it seems your sorrow never endsSomeday it’s gonna make sense– It’s Gonna Make Sense,
Michael Learns To Rock